A Colony Sprung from Hell

Pittsburgh and the Struggle for Authority on the Western Pennsylvania Frontier, 1744-1794

By: Daniel P. Barr

Narrated by: Michael Kazalski

The early settlement of the region around Pittsburgh was characterized by a messy collision of personal, provincial, national, and imperial interests. Driven by the efforts of Europeans, Pennsylvanians, Virginians, and Indians, almost everyone attempted to manipulate the clouded political jurisdiction of the region. A Colony Sprung from Hell traces this complex struggle. The events and episodes that make up the story highlight the difficulties of creating and consolidating authority along the frontier, where the local populations acceptance or denial of authority determined the extent to which any government could impose its will. Ultimately, what was at stake was the nature of authority itself.

Author Daniel P. Barr demonstrates that deep divisions marked efforts to exercise power over the western Pennsylvania frontier and limited the effectiveness of such attempts. They developed roughly along provincial lines, owing to a fierce competition between Pennsylvania and Virginia to incorporate the region into their colonies. This jurisdictional dispute permeated many social and political levels, impacting all those who sought power and influence along the western Pennsylvania frontier. Individuals, businesses, provincial governments, and British policymakers competed for jurisdiction in the political and legal arenas, while migrants, settlers, and Indians opposed one another on the ground in a contest that was far more confrontational and violent. Although the participants and the nature of the conflict changed over time, the fundamental question of who was going to make the important decisions regarding the region remained unsettled and unanswered, resulting in a consistent pattern of discord and contention.

A Colony Sprung from Hell is an important contribution to the understanding of power and authority along the late colonial frontier.

The book is published by The Kent State University Press.

©2014 The Kent State University Press (P)2016 Redwood Audiobooks

Great History of Western PA!

I’m interested in and have read a lot of colonial and early American History but knew next to nothing about this area. Found out I have ancestors from Washington County and am going there next month. Thought I’d better become acquainted. This book was better than I had hoped for and have learned so much. I’ll be buying the hardcover as well. Can’t recommend it enough.

These places have names.

The narrator Michael Kazalski could have called ANYONE from the Pittsburgh area and he would have been able to pronounce the names of the places in this book. He failed to do so and the reading is a disaster.

Clear overview of the early Pennsylvania frontier

The book’s subtitle forms a clear through line in this work as the area around modern Pittsburgh begins to take shape in the mid to late 18th century. Barr convincingly argues how the struggles between the colonies of Virginia and Pennsylvania over the forks of the Ohio in many ways defined early frontier history, forming ideas of rugged individualism and freedom, and also creating an environment of self interest and hatred of the Indian peoples. It was an interesting lens through which to view this period.

Just okay, not great

I was hoping for a bit more, being a native Pittsburgher. Moreover, the narration was poor, with lack of proper pronunciation and emotion. Still decent listen for any Western PA. native.

Good in-depth history.

Good story but a staid and methodical narration without emotion or excitement to bring it more to life.

Good intro to Western PA history

Great book, could have spent more time on the Whiskey Rebellion. Some facts don't align with other sources.

Learned So Much

Really enjoyed the story. Growing up in the West, my knowledge of early colonial history only hits the highlights. I learned so much more about the nuances of the historical events.